sector

[sek-ter]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR sector ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

Geometry. a plane figure bounded by two radii and the included arc of a circle.

a mathematical instrument consisting of two flat rulers hinged together at one end and bearing various scales.

Machinery. a device used in connection with an index plate, consisting of two arms rotating about the center of the plate and set to indicate the angle through which the work is indexed.

Military. a designated defense area, usually in a combat zone, within which a particular military unit operates and for which it is responsible.

Astronomy. an instrument shaped like a sector of a circle, having a variable central angle and sights along the two straight sides, for measuring the angular distance between two celestial bodies.

a distinct part, especially of society or of a nation's economy: the housing sector; the educational sector.

a section or zone, as of a city.

Computers. a portion of a larger block of storage, as 1/128 of a track or disk.

verb (used with object)

to divide into sectors.

Origin of sector

1560–70; < Late Latin: sector, Latin: cutter, equivalent to of sec(āre) to cut + -tor -tor

Related formssec·tor·al, adjectivesub·sec·tor, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sector

Contemporary Examples of sector

There were now five British corps in the British sector, and five American corps in the American sector.
Blood in the Sand: When James Jones Wrote a Grunt’s View of D-Day
James Jones
November 15, 2014
This addition ultimately “reactivated” that sector of the city.
Frank Gehry Is Architecture’s Mad Genius
Sarah Moroz
October 27, 2014
This is a problem where every sector, including governments and NGOs, need to work together on the solutions.
How Your Company Can End Violence Against Girls
Gary Cohen
October 9, 2014
Having finally re-joined the main body of the Ukrainian forces, the beleaguered defenders of Sector D were evacuated.
Ukrainian Troops Retreat From Russian Border, Leaving 100 Kilometers Open to Invasion
Pierre Vaux
August 12, 2014
The withdrawal from Sector D leaves several other border crossings open.
Ukrainian Troops Retreat From Russian Border, Leaving 100 Kilometers Open to Invasion
Pierre Vaux
August 12, 2014

Historical Examples of sector

To that sector we will now turn to review the course of events.
The Story of the Great War, Volume III (of VIII)
Various
With the middle of February a lull set in in this sector of the front.
The Story of the Great War, Volume II (of VIII)
Various
He was specifically after the Med Service history of all the planets in this sector.
Pariah Planet
Murray Leinster
In two days the French took over 350 prisoners in this sector.
The Story of the Great War, Volume VI (of VIII)
Various
A great number of guns were concentrated by the Germans in this sector.
The Story of the Great War, Volume VI (of VIII)
Various

British Dictionary definitions for sector

sector

noun

a part or subdivision, esp of a society or an economythe private sector

geometry either portion of a circle included between two radii and an arc. Area: 1/2 r ²θ, where r is the radius and θ is the central angle subtended by the arc (in radians)

a measuring instrument consisting of two graduated arms hinged at one end

a part or subdivision of an area of military operations

computing the smallest addressable portion of the track on a magnetic tape, disk, or drum store

Derived Formssectoral, adjective

Word Origin for sector

C16: from Late Latin: sector, from Latin: a cutter, from secāre to cut

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for sector

1560s, "section of a circle between two radii," from Late Latin sector "section of a circle," in classical Latin "a cutter, one who cuts," from sectus, past participle of secare "to cut" (see section (n.)). Translated Greek tomeus in Latin editions of Archimedes. Meaning "area, division" appeared 1920, generalized from military sense (1916) of "part of a front," based on a circle centered on a headquarters. As a verb from 1884. Related: Sectoral; sectorial.

Science definitions for sector